Lullabies in December (Behind The Month #2)

10

10, All these years

A small white hard paper, containing a printed quote on the middle is what he's given me.

I stared on it blankly as I reclined my seat. I just finished eating my lunch and drinking my vitamins so I'm just resting now inside my car. Nasa shotgun seat ako at nasa dashboard ang lalagyan ng take-out meal na binili ko sa food court kanina.

Hawak ko ngayon ang maliit na papel gamit ang parehong hinlalaki at hintuturo sa magkabilang kamay.

He heals the wounds of every shattered heart.

Psalm 147:3

Why did he give me this exactly? i was kinda weirded out at first but now... I get it. I sighed and put the paper inside my wallet. Inipit ko lang iyon basta at marahang pumikit pagkatapos maipatong sa hita ang white leather wallet ko.

Maybe he's talking about the red wounds I got from holding that fucking lighter for so long. I don't want to think of any other reason because I am fully aware that he has seen me crying many times already.

How come he gave me this anyway? Imposible namang alam niyang makikita niya ako kanina. It's unbelievable. Why do I tend to see him during the times I'm crying?

I know he's taking up psychology but I'm not stupid to think that he can read minds, or even see what's ahead of us.

Can he see what's going on inside my head? Can he... figure out the real reasons behind my tears?

Well kanina naiyak lang naman ako dahil sa kaba at frustrated na talaga ako. I thought I won't make it but thankfully, I did. My grade-conscious ass was worried.

I hate to judge my blockmates though, but upon waiting for our prof earlier, who entered the class about a minute after Safe left... I realized what they thought of me, happened to them. Most are cramming to finish their plates while I'm only quiet. I guess what really goes around... comes back around.

My head was light weighted as I entered my next class. I am very sleepy and I can't wait to go home, my sanctuary.

The following week, I had more sleep compared to the previous nights. Of course may mga ginagawa pa rin kami dahil tuluy-tuloy naman ang pagbibigay ng mga projects sa amin pero unti-unti na akong nakakabawi sa pahinga.

Labis ang pagtalon ng puso ko nang ibalik ng design prof namin ang nakalipas naming major plate. He announced the one who got the highest grade and I had no expectations... but I feel very, very happy that I can't help but smile to hear him say my name aloud in the class.

"Lacerna, Anna Celine. Congrats! Keep it up!"

I smiled as my heart continued hammering in my chest. I walked towards him, stopping in front of his table so I can get the boards under my name. I have to go back again after placing them down on my table to get the form he gives, where our scores are tabulated. Kukuhanin ko rin kasabay noon ang miniature ko.

"Congrats..." Ar. Acuñas said with a simple smile and nodded before handing me the form.

"Thank you, sir."

Bumalik ako sa pwesto ko para tignan ang mga kumento niya. Pakiramdam ko ang bigat ng puso ko sa kaalamang sulit nang sobra ang pagod ko.

"Hey, what's your grade?" my block mate, Jocas asked me.

She's behind me, trying to peek at the paper I'm holding.

"Uh... ninety five."

"Oh shit. Congrats, shawty." sabay ngiti niya.